Measuring and dispensing container



Aug. 5, 1947. 1 T, BRUBAKER 2,425,142

MEASURING AND DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed April'l, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet l' Aug- 5, 1947- J. T; BRUBAKER 2,425,142

MEASURING A ND DISPENSING CONTAINER n Filed April 15, 1944 3 Sheetsfsheet 2 All@ 5, 1947 J. T. BRUBAKER I MEASURING AND DISPENSING CONTAINER s sheets-sheet 3 Filed April 1 5, 1944 Patented Aug. 5, 1947 ,izan i UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE 16l Claims.

This invention relates to a container, receptacle or the like adapted to dispense various fluent materials, particularly sugar, in such manner as will avoid waste, and in a measured or predetermined quantity through movement of the container from an upright to a tilted position.

I especially aim to provide 4a simple and inexpensive construction capable of expeditious manufacture and having parts capable of ready disassembly tofacilitate cleaning -so that the structure maybe maintained in a.v sanitary condition at all times.

An important object is` to provide a construction which may be made so asnot to wholly or partially refill during a dispensing operation.

Further, an aim is to provide various constructionsrto accomplish the ends stated, all of which have a novel section or part positioned in whole or in part by a cover or closure.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following, taken in connection with the different specific forms.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a central vertical section through one form of the container, carrying out the invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section takenV on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a central vertical section through a modified form;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary central vertical section through another modied form;

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a Kcentral vertical section taken through a fourth modified form;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the container of the form of Figure '7 with the closure removed;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary central vertical section through a fifth modified form;

Figure 10 is a detail cross section taken on the line IIB-Ill of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a detail perspective view showing the insert used in the form of Figures 7 to 10;

Figure 12 is a central vertical sectional view through another modified form;

Figure 13 is a cross section taken on the line I3-I3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a horizontal section taken on the line I4-I 4 of Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the insert used in the form of Figures 12 to 14; and

Figure 16 is a fragmentary View partly in elevation and partly in section showing an insert of the general character of that of Figure 15 held in place by a bayonet joint.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or simila-r parts and rst to the form of Figures 1 to 2, I!) designates a suitable container or receptacle which may be of any desired size and shape and material, for instance, being of glass or plastic. At either end, container III has a closure II that is screw threaded thereto or otherwise detachable as at I2. Closure II may be of any suitable material, for instance, metal or plastic.

Formed integral with the container I@ or separately applicable thereto as preferred is a wall or tube I2 depending from the top of the container and terminating short of the bottom of thelatter and at the top of the container, a pouringor dispensing spout I3 may be provided in line with the passage I4' or bore of the tube I2.

A removable measuring device I5 which may be of metal, plastic or otherwise, has two tubularV extensions I` and I'I 'whose bores are connected by a passage at I8. The tube I5 is removably inserted into the bore 0r passage Ill and will remain therein by friction and will also be held in place since it rests on the closure I I.

It will be seen that in using the structure of Figures 1 and 2, a predetermined or measured quantity of sugar or other material will enter the measuring device I5 through the tube Il and will be dispensed from said device when tilted, discharging through the spout I3. After a dispensingoperation, and the closure II again rests on a table in horizontal position, a succeeding predetermined or measured quantity of sugar or other material will enter the measuring device I5, so as to be dispensed upon the next tilting movement of the container.

It is clear that various forms may be provided to carry out the principles of my invention. In the second form of Figures 3 and 4, a container lil' is provided of the same material as the container I0 and equipped with a similar screwed-on metal closure I I. Formed integral with the side wall of container lil are spaced apart ribs IQ. Slidably mounted by the ribs I9, so that it may be removed, is a half-tube 20 which may be of metal or plastic material, such tube 20 and ribs I9 preferably having overlapping flanges as at 2| and 22, respectively. Welded or otherwise secured' or even formed integral with the tube 26 isa measurer 23'l This element may be of any desired shape, or of the same material as the tube 26, the same being bowed outwardly with respect thereto so as to form an entrance opening at 24. It will be noted that the measurer 23 extends below the tube 2i! so that the material such as sugar, may extend across the lower end of the latter and be discharged through the tube 20 and an opening 25 in the container I0', when the latter is tilted. The tube 20 and part 23 are removed and replaced as a unit, being frictionally held in place and also being held in place by the closure Il' upon which the measurer 23 rests. The latter may have an outwardly-extending lug 25 to form a means for engagement by the ringernail in removing the unit 20--23.

In the modified form of Figures 5 and 6, the parts IlJa and IIb correspond to those at I0 and Il, and the former has a tube I2a therein like that at I2, but preferably extending a little closer to the closure. In this form I provide a measurer 15a separate from the closure Hb and the tube 12a. Such measurer has a bowed portion I1a outwardly of the tube and has terminal fingers or grips 16a. Measurer I5a is preferably made of spring metal, plastic or the like, and the fingers 16a function as clasp fingers to grip the lower portion of the tube to maintain the measurer in place. It is also held in place against lowering movement since it rests on the closure Hb. In dispensing with this form of the invention, it will be realized that the material enters through the open top of the bowed portion 11a, thence beneath the tube I2a and out of the tube, upon properly tilting the container a.

Referring now to the form of Figures '1, 8 and 11, a container 10b corresponds to that employed at I0, having a closure IIb detachably screwed thereto as at 12b, the closure in this instance being at the top, for example, rather than at the bottom as in the preceding forms. Container lb has an integral wall 25 shown as providing a dispensing receptacle 26 of oval shape in cross section, although it may be round if desired. To complete the measuring feature, I employ a metallic or plastic insert 21 as detailed in the perspective of Figure 11. This insert is positioned in the receptacle 25 from above and the periphery of the bottom 28 of the insert frictionally engages the adjacent walls to hold the insert in place. To attain this end, the inner surface of the receptacle 26 at wall 25 may be slightly tapered in a downward direction. Also, optionally, I may provide lugs 29 at the top of a partition 39 rising from tlie bottom 28 and which lugs 29 are disposed or suspended in notches 3l provided in the upper edge of the container |01). When the closure l Ib is in place, it will hold the insert 21 against displacement, also, and it closes the top of the receptacle 2B except for an inlet opening 32 in the wall 25. An opening 33 is provided in the partition 30 and an outlet opening 34 is provided in the closure IIb. As a result, a predetermined or measured quantity of sugar or other commodity, at an angle of tilt, will enter the measuring receptacle through the opening 32, and at another of tilt will be dispensed or poured therefrom by way of the openings 33 and 34.

In Figures 9 and 10, the structure is substantially the same as in Figures 7 and 8, except I use a receptacle or measurer-forming wall 35 of metal, plastic or the like, which may be cast in place permanently in the container 10c, the equivalent of that at Ib, or be removably slidable since it has ribs 36 engaging behind ribs 31 of the container. It will be clear that I may omit the wall of the measurer 35 which is in contact with the side wall of the receptacle 10c, if desired. In this form, I also use the insert 21 as employed in Figures 7 and 8, the Wall 35 preferably tapering slightly so that its smaller dimension is lowermost to increase the frictional engagement of the bottom 28 therewith. The wall 32' corresponds to that at 32 and to facilitate entry of sugar or other commodity into the measurer 35, the plate or plastic closure employed at llc is upwardly bulged as at 38. The material will be dispensed with the same action as in Figure '1 and a pouring spout 39 is provided on the closure llc in line with the left-hand half of the measuring receptacle.

The form of Figure 12 has a container lild like that at I9 provided with a metallic. or plastic closure Hd screwed in place thereon at 40. A measuring receptacle in the form of a tube 4I, of any desired cross-sectional configuration, is fastened to and suspended from the closure Hd as at 42. The tube fil may be central or eccentric as shown, as preferred. An insert 43, as detailed in Figure 15 is removably applicable to the tube through its lower end. This insert has a partition wall 44 and the insert is preferably made of flexible metal or plastic so that the insert may be initially slightly curved or deflected out of a plane as suggested by the dotted lines in Figure 15, to the end that the partition will be moved into such plane and so held through its engagement with the interior of the tube, as the Width of the partition corresponds to the diameter of the tube. Partition 44 is fastened to a bottom element 45 which abuts the tube 4l and the partition at its bottom has an opening 46 therethrough. At the top, the partition has a lateral wall at 41, which is optional, and below the wall 41, the tube 4l has an entrance opening 48. The latter opening may be at the top of the tube, however, if desired. It will also be noted that a pouring or discharge opening 49 is provided in the closure Hb in registry with the tube 4| at the left of the partition 44. Thus, the sugar` or other material will be dispensed through the proper movements` the sugar entering the opening 48, passing through opening 46 and thence out of the tube 4| through the opening 49.

In the modified form of Figure 16, a measurer or tube 41a corresponds to the tube 4I, and an insert 43a, corresponds to that at 43, having a similarly functioning partition 44a. and bottom 45a. The bottom extends into the tube, in contrast with the form of Figures 12 to 15, and one or more pins 59 are provided on the periphery of the bottom 45a. so as to engage with a corresponding bayonet slot or slots 5l in the tube 41a.

It will be seen that in all of the forms of the invention, that the sugar or any other commodity will be dispensed in a predetermined or measured quantity and without waste, and that one or more of the parts are removable so that all of the parts may be maintained clean and sanitary, and further that the various forms may be eX- peditiously made, since they are simple and inexpensive. They avoid corners, projections or collecting places for unsanitary accumulations and deposits.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1 In combination, a container having a dispensing opening, a Wall integral with the main wall of the container removable means in the container and positioned by said walls and coacting with the latter to measurey andi dispense the contents through successive angular manipulation thereof, said removable means including arbottom for said measuring chamber, anda closure for the container bearing against' said means and aiding in maintaining it in place.

2'. In combination, a container havingv a" dispensing ope-ning, a wall integral with themain wall ofthe container removable means in: the container and positioned by saidwalls and coacting with the latter to measure and dispense the contents through successive angular manipulation thereof,` said removable means includingfa bottom for said measuring chamber, a closure for the container bearing against said means andl aiding in maintaining it in place, said closure partly closing said means so that the latter will operatively function.

3. In combination, a container, means within the containerform'mg' a longitudinally extending measuring chamber, an insert positioned in the *chamber and carrying a bottom therefor; said means and insert having laterally disaligned openingsy and the containerA having a pouring openingv in communication with the chamber, whereby the contents of the container'maybe dispensed through successive tiltings.

4. In combination, a container, means within the container forming a longitudinally extending measuring chamber, an insert positioned in the chamber and carrying a bottom therefor, said means and insert having laterally disaligned openings and the container having a pouring opening in communication with the chamber, whereby the contents of the container may bedispensed through successive tiltings, the said means being a wall integral with the container.

5. InI combination, a container, means within the container forming a longitudinally extending measuring chamber, an insert positioned in the chamber and carrying a bottom therefor, said means and insert having laterally disaligned openings and the container having a pouring opening in communication with the chamber, whereby the contents of the container may be dispensed through successive tiltings, the said means being a wall secured to the container.

6. In combination, a container, means within the container forming a measurer, an insert positioned in the measurer, said measurer and insert having disaligned openings and the container having a pouring opening in communication with the measurer, whereby the contents of the container may be dispensed through successive tiltings, said insert having a bottom wall and a partition through which the aforesaid opening of the insert is provided adjacent the bottom wall.

7. In combination, a container, means Within the container forming a measurer, an insert positioned in the measurer, said measurer and insert having disaligned openings and the container having a pouring opening in communication with the measurer, whereby the contents of the container may be dispensed through successive tiltings, said insert having a bottom wall and a partition through which the aforesaid opening of the insert is provided adjacent the bottom wall, lugs at the top of the partition and the container having notches engaged by the lugs to suspend the insert.

8. In combination, a container, means within the container forming a measurer, an insert positioned in the measurer, said measurer and insert having disaligned openings and the container having a pouring opening in communication with the measurer, whereby'thecontents of: the container may be dispensed through successive tiltings, said insert having a bottom wall and a partition through which the aforesaid opening of the insert is provided adjacent the bottom wall, lugs at the top of the partition and the container having notches engaged by the lugs yto suspend the insert, said container Wall being tapered with the smaller dimension lowermost to enable said bottom of the insert to frictionally wedge in place.

9. In combination, a container, a closureappli- 'cable thereto, a tube depending from said closure having an opening for the inlet of material from the container, an insert comprising a partition insertable in the tube and a bottom from Iwhich the partition extends, said bottom also functioning as the bottomA of the tube, said partition having an opening therethrough adjacent the'bottom, and the closure having an opening therethrough at the side of the partition opposite to the first-mentioned opening.

l0. In combination, a container, a closure applicable thereto, a tube depending from said closure having an opening for the inlet of material from the container, an insert comprising a partition insertable in the tube and a bottom from which the partition extends, said bottom also functioning as the bottom of the tube, said partition having an opening therethrough adjacent the bottom, and the closure having an opening therethrough at the side of the partition opposite to the first-mentioned opening, said partition being deected from a plane, whereby it will be rendered planar by engagement with the tube so that it will be frictionally held in place in the latter.

11. In combination, a container, a closure applicable thereto, a tube depending from said closure having an opening for the inlet of material from the container, an insert comprising a partition insertable in the tube and a bottom from which the partition extends, said bottom also functioning as the bottom of the tube, said partition having an opening therethrough adjacent the bottom, and the closure having an opening -therethrough at the side of the partition opposite to the first-mentioned opening, said partition being deflected from a plane, whereby it will be rendered planar by engagement with the tube so that it will be frictionally held in, place in the latter, and a wall at the upper end of the partition extending away from the third-mentioned opening.

12. In combination, a container, a closure applicable thereto, a tube depending from said closure having an opening for the inlet of material from the container, an insert comprising a partition insertable in the tube and a bottom from which the partition extends, said bottom also functioning as the bottom of the tube, said partition having an opening therethrough adjacent the bottom, and the closure having an opening therethrough at the side of the partition opposite to the first-mentioned opening, and a bayonet slot connection between the insert and tube.

13. In combination, a container having a cover provided with a dispensing opening, means on the container providing a longitudinally extending measuring chamber, and removable means coacting with the first-mentioned means disposed in the said chamber separate from the cover suspended on the container to measure and dispense the contents through successive angular manipulations thereof, said removable means including a bottom for said measuring chamber.

14. In combination, a container member, a removable closure member therefor, one of the members having a tube enclosed by the members, said closure member having an opening communicating with the tube, a longitudinal partition removably interengaged With the tube and including a bottom for said tube, said partition having an opening therethrough adjacent said bottom and the tube on the side of the partition opposite to the rst-mentioned opening having an opening disaligned with that of the partition.

15. In combination, a container member, a removable closure member therefor, one of the members having a tube enclosed by the members, said closure member having an opening communicating with the tube, a longitudinal partition removably disposed Within the tube including a. bottom for the tube, said partition having laterally projecting means, and said container member in its upper edge being recessed and receiving said projecting means below said upper edge and the tube on the side of the partition opposite to the first-mentioned opening having an opening disaligned with that of the -partition.

16. In combination, a `container member, a removable closure member therefor, one of the members having a tube enclosed by the members, said closure member having an opening communicating with the tube, the interior wall of said tube being transversely curved, a longitudinal partition removably disposed in the tube, said partition being initially bowed and of a width to co-act with the curvature of the tube to maintain the partition straight and interengaged with the tube, said partition including a bottom for said tube, said partition having an opening therethrough adjacent said bottom and the tube on the side of the partition opposed to the first-mentioned opening having an opening disaligned with that of the partition.

JOHN T. BRUBAKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,233,812 Sawyer July 17, 1917 1,775,912 Packwood Sept. 16, 1930 2,243,452 Bickel May 27, 1941 2,091,929 Kappenberg Aug. 31, 1937 2,021,004 Garrido Nov. 12, 1935 1,938,100 Gessier Dec. 5, 1933 2,228,048 Brune Jan, 7, 1941 907,291 Sanders Dec. 22, 1908 

